Peat extraction in Germany subject to strict regulations and rules

1. Peat extraction in Germany • subject to strict regulations and rules • almost exclusively peat extraction from raised bogs • peat is used for the production of growing media for • commercial horticulture and potting soils for the hobby • sector • energypeat is almost no object in Germany • peat extraction is conducted on 10% of the German • raised bog areas IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

2. Bog Protection Programme of Lower Saxony (about 95% of German Peat Extraction) • inventory of all raised bog areas in the late 70ies • protection of about 54.000 ha of raised bogs in a • close-to-natural-state and so-called ‘degenerated • bogs’ as nature reserves • at least another 31.000 ha of raised bog areas shall • be restored after peat extraction and classified as • nature reserves IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

3. Since 1981 in Lower Saxony only degenerated and drained bogs with agricultural pre-use and under the condition of rewetting and restoration after extraction are granted extraction permits. IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

4. Permit procedures • Investigations: • mapping of flora and fauna • assessment of the stratigraphy • surveying of the surface and drainage • installation of ground water measuring points • forecast of emissions according to BImSchG • (German law on noise, air pollution, vibrations) • estimation of the archaeological situation IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

5. Basic idea of permit procedure • find measurements in order to avoid, reduce or • compensate considerable disadvantageous effects • on environment resulting from extraction • find measurements to compensate the negative • effects on nature and landscape • Procedure is followed by large public hearings. IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

6. Content of permit: • the extraction period • limiting factors on extraction, e.g. extraction • borders and depth • drainage measures • restoration aims and measurements • All permits given in the last 30 years include rewetting as compensatory measurement. IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

7. Surveillance Representatives of the nature protection and, where appropriate, water authorities usually verify once a year whether the entrepreneur follows the rules laid down in the permit. Representatives of labour inspectorate and labour protection authorities visit the companies without prior notice in order to check measurements taken on labour safety. Companies have to pay fees for state surveillance. IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

8. Existing certifications • certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001 • quality hallmark of the Dutch Foundation RHP • environmental management system according to DIN • EN ISO 14001 • product certifications within the quality assurances of • the Quality Assurance Association Growing Media IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam

9. Conclusions on certification Companies do already invest time and costs to a considerable extent in order to fulfil the requirements on extraction in an environmentally sound way Certification shall not lead to further restrictions and bureaucracy BTH/IVG is still working on a final position on this project and consequently is not able to make any financial promises. IPS Global Strategy for Peatland Management Amsterdam